Page:My Life and Loves.djvu/268

 I did not go near the Mayhews' the day after his gift, leaving Lorna to suppose that I looked upon everything as ended. But the day after that I got a word from her, an imperious:

"Come at once, I must see you!"

Of course I went though reluctantly.

As soon as I entered the room she rose from the sofa and came to me: "if I get you work in Denver, will you come out?"

"How could I?" I asked in absolute astonishment, "you know I'm bound here to the University and then I want to go into a law-office as well: besides I could not leave Smith: I've never known such a teacher: I don't believe his equal can be found anywhere."

She nodded her head: "I see", she sighed, "I suppose it's impossible; but I must see you", she cried, "if I haven't the hope, what do I say! the certainty of seeing you again, I shan't go. I'd rather kill myself! I'll be a servant and stay with you, my darling, and take care of you! I don't care what I do so long as we are together: I'm nearly crazed with fear that I shall lose you."

"It's all a question of money", I said quietly, for the idea of her staying behind scared me stiff: "if I can earn money, I'd love to go to Denver in my holidays. It must be gorgeous there in summer six thousand odd feet above sea-level: I'd delight in it."

"If I send you the money, you'll come?" she asked briefly.

I made a face: "I can't take money from—a love", (I said "love" instead of "woman": it was not so ugly) I went on, "but Smith says he can get me work and I have still a little: I'll come in the holidays."

"Holy days they'll be to me!" she said solemnly, and then with quick change of mood, "I'll make a beautiful room for our love in Denver; but you must